Which Caesar Portrait Denarius Do You Prefer?

The figure of $100 was mentioned so I was just curious to see what sort of portrait JC $100 would fetch and how many fewer facial features you'd have to do without to get one at that price.

I didn't find any, but these two examples did come up and I thought it was interesting to see that A went for about $650 and B went for $525 (both figures before fees).

The picture for A used in the auction is I think a little more flattering than the OP picture, and the description does mention a nice provenance and "attractive iridescent toning". If you have to pay higher than those prices, I'd have to go with Option C too.

 

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awesome sleuthing, Z-Bro (thanks)

Man, if I'm ever thinking of buying coins in the $500+ range, I'm gonna make damn sure that I "love them"!! (my average coin-price-range hovers more around the $200 average)

Ummm, yah I realize I'm off-topic again, but it's what I do ...

I just looked and I have:

"339" ancient coins ...
"21" of them are >= $500
"3" of them are >= $1000

... so coin "A" is probably as good as I'll ever see in my collection (when I see what I can get for $500 in the ancient-world, I doubt I'll ever own a JC example if it looks like either of those two pieces)

 

I'm a coin C man and you'll find it about a week after you receive the coin you end up purchasing

 

Yeah, ain't that the truth? Lol. A week wouldn't be bad since most sellers give you at least two for returns. Murphy's law is you'll find coin C the day after the return on your first pick expires.

At any rate, I'm not in the market for J. C. portrait coins, so perhaps I shouldn't even give my opinion. If coin B suits your collection, Nemo, and you're happy with it, it doesn't matter what the majority opinion is.

 

A few years ago I purchased a JC denarius from Silbury Coins. My bookkeeping was awful back then, so I do not know what I paid. The coin is plugged and is an ex-jewelry mounted coin. It has a myriad of problems. I'm OK with the coin because the portrait is OK; however, I'm always on the look out for an upgrade I can afford. I'm afraid you will probably do the same.


JULIUS CAESAR
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: CAESAR IMP, laureate head right, lituus & simpulum behind.
REVERSE: M METTIVS, Venus standing left with Victory & scepter, shield resting on globe; control letter G to left
Rome January-February 44 BC
3.81g, 18mm
RSC 34

 

I much prefer #1. You are not buying the coin because of the reverse, rather the portrait. For me, the off-center portrait clipping the nose of #2 makes it too irritating to want.

 

My personal perspective on these two coins is that coin B isn't really a "portrait" coin of Julius Caesar, since so much of his profile is missing from the obverse.

While the graffiti and scratches detract enormously from the obverse of coin A, it is a full portrait and of about-average quality as portraits on these coins go. The beheaded Victory on the reverse is somewhat of a negative but a better tradeoff than a partial obverse portrait.

It's easy to recommend option C -- wait for a better coin -- if you're a collector whose budget could accommodate a better coin at a higher price. While it sounds facile to say this, if you're at all able to take this route then I would suggest you continue looking for a better coin and be prepared to spend more. If not, coin B is my choice for a better portrait despite its graffiti and scratches.

 

One day a while back I sent Doug a PM and asked him what his opinion was on a coin I was going to pay $500 for.He said something to the effect of "its a good coin, but you should when you find a coin you are going to spend $500 you won't ask for my opinion." That very next day my computer HDD died, and I lost all my stuff. I bought a new computer for $500.

To this day my most expensive coin is $385. (You would never guess what it is.)

The point he made clear to me was if you are spending "real money" no matter what price bracket you are in, its important that you be 100% satisfied with your specimen because what you don't like about it doesn't get better with time.

 

Projeci sententiam Ac pro "A": Iulius Caesar is the subject - and it is more centered; it is a bit worn so it has been circulated and touched by ancient hands in real transactions;
PERHAPS: Option (D) - BUY THEM BOTH! That way you solve ALL arguments!

 

Yes, that's an excellent idea. When torn between two coins, buy them both!

 

Hahaha i buy one, and then i go for a anothere one

 

It may be that if you get either one you will immediately wish you had a better one. I'm with Ides on this one: Pick option C and wait for a better coin (which probably will cost more, but ultimately be more satisfying).

 

Hmmmm...Looks like I would further that to Option E...get the 2 above, then go get ANOTHER / BETTER version... Lovem!

 

May I mention that Bing's coin is an absolutely awful coin but has the best portrait AND a bold legend of the important word CAESAR. Hole? Yes. Reverse issues? Yes. Better coin than A or B? Take a vote.

 

Why, thank you very much. And I mean it. This coin was once part of the Andrew McCabe collection. I assume he sold it in order to upgrade as I hope to do one day.

 

I instantly preferred it over both A and B, even considering the problems.

 

i'll vote A as well, missing a portion of the face is a bit much for me....and the raggedy flan. i don't really like rough flans with coin of the type.

 

I would pass on both coins and wait. Scratches are not circulation wear and a clipped flan missing important aspects of the strike is of no interest to me. In the past I have purchased some pieces just because I felt they were the best I could afford, that is until I really started to dislike the coins. When I showed them to fellow collectors I always had to apologize for their condition and eventually had problems selling them.

Satisfaction and peace of mind are important aspects of collecting. And isn't the thrill of the "hunt" part of the fun?